Federal officials said the wildfire threat in the New Mexico area is so intense that it requires a permanent base of operations.

For the past couple years, the agencies involved in fighting the wildfires have operated out of a temporary base on state Road 4 close to the Bandelier National Monument entrance.

On Tuesday, work will begin on a permanent building. The 6,400 square foot project will cost $3 million.

"This inter-agency fire center will allow us to have more effective trained resources staged here permanently so it'll give us an even shorter response time to fires and events," said Kevin Smith with the Los Alamos National Lab.

Agencies including LANL and the U.S. Forest Service will be housed at the base.

Officials said it's "a good use of taxpayer dollars" and that the region needs something "ready to go" as fire crews take on unpredictable wildfires.

Proponents said the building will pay for itself as it can already cost millions of dollars for make-shift camps.

Agents said LANL's high-profile helped get the funding approved.

"There are so many key assets for the nation here, that being able to provide a quick response was an important factor in getting this facility funded," said Ray Todd of the National Park Service.

Crews based at the station should be able to mobilize all over northern New Mexico, including the pueblo if needed.